Spring clip



Oct, 20,v 1942. c, G, NEWMAN 2,299,49()

SPRING CLIP Filed Nov. 22. 1940 Patented Oct. 20, 1942 SPRING CLIP Charles Georg Newman, Chicago, Ill., assigner to C. W. Willey, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 22, 1940, Serial No. 366,523

(Cl. .Z4- 261) 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to clips for the fastening of backings to mirrors and the like. The primary object of the invention is the provision of a spring clip which is economical, neat in appearance and which facilitates both its application to a backing member and the application of a backing member to a mirror or other means requiring backing.

A further object is the provision of a spring clip which is so constructed that it is not unsightly, particularly when applied to mirrors of the type generally known as Venetian mirrors and in which screws or other similar fastening means are eliminated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the accompanying drawing and the following speciiication. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing and speciiication are purely illustrative and changes in the form, size and style of the device may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as it is defined in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing, o

Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing a clip adapted particularly for application to a Venetian mirror;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the clip shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of the clip shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 shows the clip applied to a Venetian mirror;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the clip as applied to a mirror with a backing;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional View showing the clip applied to a Venetian type of mirror;

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of clip to be employed when the backing member is coextensive with the mirror;

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the clip shown in Fig. '7

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the clips as seen in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 11 is a View in front elevation of the clip shown in Fig. 7.

The clip shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, is formed of steel Wire, such as piano wire or other tough spring-like material, and is generally U-shaped as shown in Fig. 2. The clip includes an outer hooked portion 2li which projects forwardly and is adapted lto engage the edge of a mirror or other device requiring a backing. The body portion 2l consists of a pair of elongated members. These members rest against the back For fastening the body portion 2l to the backing member 22, which is shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, there is provided an offset fastening means 23. The offset fastening means 23 is offset from the body portion 2| approximately the thickness of the backing member 22.

To iasten the clip to the backing member 22 ie clip is first iormed in the coniiguration shown in Figs. l to 3 inclusive, with the outwardly projecting members 24 adapted to irnpale the backing member 22, and the end portions are then bent inwardly and depressed into the backing member as shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive.

The form of the clip shown in Figs. l to 6 inelusive is readily attached to the backing member without the employment of screws or any additional fastening means as it is only necessary to impale the backing member with the portions 24, then bend these portions over and depress them into the backing member which is generally made of brous material that will readily receive them. It is to be noted that there are no points or sharp portions which may come in contact with the back of the mirror, a feature of considerable importance, as any sharp projection would tend to mar the mirror coating.

Furthermore, the application of the backing to the mirror is greatly simplified in that the mirror may be slid into position against the backing and will engage the hooked portions of most of the clips and then by slightly springing the remaining clips they may be passed over the edge of the mirror and after they are once in place the mirror will be iirmly held, and if desirable, under a slight tension exerted by the clips. With mirrors of the Venetian type in which the backing is of less area than the mirror or in which the edge of the mirror is transparent, the clips being round and representing a very small mass will not detract from the appearance o1 the nished product.

Referring to the modified form of the device shown in Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive, this form is particularly adapted for use with mirrors in which the backing is coextensive with the body of the mirror. This modication of the invention comprises a clip with a hook-like portion 25 which has suiiicient opening to receive both the mirror and the backing, a body portion 26 and a fastening portion 2l. The backing member is indicated by the reference character 28.

In the formation of the clip it is first formed in the shape shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8.

The reason for slightly opening the hooked portion 25 is so that when the fastening portion 21 is driven through the backing 28 the hooked portion 25 will clear the backing 28. As the backing is attached it is generally desirable at the same time to press the hooked portion 25 toward the backing so that it reaches its normal position as shown in solid lines in Figs. 8 to 1l inclusive. The mirror is then applied in the same manner as was true of the clip described and shown in connection with Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.

The type of clip shown in Figs. l to 6 inclusive, has slightly more resiliency in that the offset portion of the clip may spring slightly as well as the hooked portion. However, there is suiicient resiliency with the type of clip shown in Figs. 6 to 1l inclusive, due to the fact that the hooked portion is Wider since it must take in both the mirror and the backing. Thus the hooked portion itself has sufficient resiliency to permit ease of fastening and securingr of the mirror in place.

Clips constructed in accordance with the present invention are particularly advantageous because their use eliminates screw fastening means and in that they securely fix the mirror to the backing without the employment of any cumbersome or unsightly arrangement. In addition they are simple in construction and make for ease and quickness of mounting mirrors or the like.

I claim:

A spring clip member of the class described having a substantially U-shaped hook member at one end, an offset portion in the body portion thereof, said offset portion being substantially equal to the thickness of a backing member and giving longitudinal resilience to said clip, the portion between said offset portion and said hooked portion being adapted to engage the back of said member to be retained by said clip member, and impaling means at the end opposite to said hook member, said impaling means being provided with bent-over portions pressed into a backing member.

CHARLES GEORG NEWMAN. 

